Jump to content
American Road Magazine
Celebrating our two-lane highways of yesteryear…And the joys of driving them today!

Lifelong Journey On The Road...


beemerchef
 Share

Recommended Posts

Ara & Spirit,

 

White Elephant looks like a great rig! Just right for you and Spirit this winter. I have to tell you, it just looks really good for awhile. Snug, bright, great views, love the quiet, and even a little hot water.

 

As for Jessie who video tapes trench digging as an art form…I want to see some of that when you get her site URL! If she finds meaning and purpose in it, I’m all for her. It can’t hurt anyone, and there must be something there to appreciate.

 

Keep the Show on the Road!

 

Dave

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yes, thanks David... I will be waiting for that URL...

 

386965195_2Npye-L.jpg

 

Took a little walk, Texas

 

Not stranded but needing to get some tire situation straighten out. The “wheel” has arrived and the tire needs to be seated properly, “Old Faithful” needs a new front mounted and things do not move too fast around here. We just rode 120 miles today and the tire guy stood me up… So we will try Monday again, plan B. closer this time.

We have been going on many walks lately. Getting over this sense of responsibility being here and somehow for some reason feeling different than just setting up camp anywhere.

1400 miles of dirt roads to walk on, ride, and right behind us is a little hill filled with flowers and the daily Sunset always better than the day before!

Spirit does not stop attracting the photographers as it happened again while in Alpine. Better him than me!

I just feel so unorganized suddenly as there is much to do and seemingly at the same time nothing to accomplish! We just need our wheels to get rolling again.

More on the Blog… till next time.

Be well… Ara & Spirit

Link to comment
Share on other sites

388754857_7QSgh-L.jpg

 

Are the Stars “misaligned”?, Texas

 

I have to this morning take a step back and move slowly on the path of “fixing” things, or more truthfully think about on how to go about it all! Suddenly it is a full plate…

After numerous attempts my new wheel is still leaking air. I won’t even go into the details, it could be the subject for a humorous play with too many scenes. “Old Faithful” herself is diagnosed with a bad right throttle body and a slipping clutch. I am not even thinking about her annual physical such as what everyone calls a “tune up”, an involved process that requires the sidecar to be taken apart. Without a phone here, e mail is my only resource and, not surprisingly, the BMW Dealers I inquired about are not returning any breath of my inquiries. I guess they do not want to sell any parts!!!

A few miles away my cell phone will work but its battery for the second time is not charging! I often wonder if “mechanical” objects have a Life of their own. Must be…

More on the Blog…

 

Be well, Ara & Spirit

Link to comment
Share on other sites

390138478_jScwS-L.jpg

 

Karma looks upon us, Texas

 

What would be the chances for an incredible mechanic such as “Paul Glaves” to be our neighbor 4 miles away and offer his expertise to install a new clutch, throttle body, throttle cable and a complete maintenance schedule as “Old Faithful” is in need right now? Slim?… well, it is reality! The parts have been ordered, next week we will be not only watching but as he expressed himself learn more about this bike than I ever have.

There is no denying it, once again the road has become smooth as also there is not harm for us riding around in the meantime.

A ride to Terlingua, the Ghost Town, seeing the familiar sites and faces as not much has changed since last year.

The weather has been perfect with tolerable heat throughout the days and cool nights. This at time “puzzle” is emerging as an image with much more definite outlines.

A recipe for a quick meal, a tasty one…

As always, more on the Blog.

 

Be well… Ara & Spirit

Link to comment
Share on other sites

392091068_JFEpJ-L.jpg

 

Unprepared for the storm, Texas

 

The future? I will be prepared! Good weather day in and day out makes me forget the other side of the coin sometimes. It only took “that one” burst of wind to knock the Dish down. Already with no phone service here yet, we both went on to Alpine to find a solution. And what luck… a slightly bent Dish was waiting for us… all is well again!

Much play with Spirit every day on this vast open land, one happy dog he now is and has become my shadow 24/7, his sight never leaving my movements.

Thinking about next week, about “Old Faithful” being dismantled as it is always a mental hardship, but for the first time I am truly so relaxed about it, how can I not be when it is Paul Glaves running the show. The parts are here… we are ready.

We took a ride into Big Bend Park, always feeling this peaceful aura descending upon us, an easy pill to swallow. More great Sunrises and Sunsets… I try real hard to not take anymore pictures of them… but that is not happening!

More on the Blog…

Be well… always. Ara & Spirit

Link to comment
Share on other sites

393841376_Hyix3-L.jpg

 

On our way to Ft Stockton! Texas

 

In company of a good Friend yesterday, Lance’s Birthday passed on with more ease this year as I only hope that I some day return the incredible support that I received on this bitter sweet day. I feel so much to want to reach others wearing the same shoes, “I owe” I feel… “what can I now do” I feel…

Plagued by mechanical let downs it is now the turn for the solar power to malfunction! No “DC” power when inverter or generator off! Luckily another Friend will meet us today in Ft Stockton to figure out what is wrong. What happened to the simplicity of living in a tent? This is so complicated and so much can go wrong…

Tomorrow “Old Faithful” will come apart, she will be in good hands hoping for no bad surprises… thinking positive here.

Just another day on the road as the full moon is upon us… on the Blog.

Be well…. Ara & Spirit

Link to comment
Share on other sites

395945462_VBGHs-L.jpg

 

As simple as a tire change! Texas…

 

It has been some smooth days even if the photos look daunting! It was first meeting Ryan who attacked my solar system and rewired it from scratch. I’ll skip the details… the bottom line? It had been wired very very wrong and unhealthy! It was a relaxed day with so much confidence inspired. Same confidence going on this third day with Paul Glaves. What an inspiration it is to be taught and witness a bike being torn down and put back together in about the same way I would make a cup of coffee! And done right with so many attention to details… no joke… It is beyond mechanical ability, it is a “Zen” like process that leaves one actually enjoying the day and learn so much. I might even ask him when we are done if we could tear it up again!

The Desert is our Friend. Always has been but more so now than before, it is never just the land, it is also the People even as isolated as it is here.

More photos on the Blog.

Be well, Ara & Spirit

Link to comment
Share on other sites

395945462_VBGHs-L.jpg

 

As simple as a tire change! Texas…

 

It has been some smooth days even if the photos look daunting! It was first meeting Ryan who attacked my solar system and rewired it from scratch. I’ll skip the details… the bottom line? It had been wired very very wrong and unhealthy! It was a relaxed day with so much confidence inspired. Same confidence going on this third day with Paul Glaves. What an inspiration it is to be taught and witness a bike being torn down and put back together in about the same way I would make a cup of coffee! And done right with so many attention to details… no joke… It is beyond mechanical ability, it is a “Zen” like process that leaves one actually enjoying the day and learn so much. I might even ask him when we are done if we could tear it up again!

The Desert is our Friend. Always has been but more so now than before, it is never just the land, it is also the People even as isolated as it is here.

More photos on the Blog.

Be well, Ara & Spirit

 

 

Ara,

 

We just returned from a short trip, and have not been keeping up with forum and blogs. Just did so, and kind of guessed before you said it that Spirit would be a little “annoyed” that his car was being serviced! The photos of him confirmed it. :)

 

It is kind of amazing that you have found a fellow like Paul so nearby, and Ryan willing to travel to help Sound like things go well.

 

Keep the Show on the Road!

 

Dave

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It is "Karma" David!... A road trip? and you did not visit?... hummmmm...

 

398269339_FnWzA-M-1.jpg

 

Rolling again in Texas…

 

“WOW’ has always been a nice word for me expressing the inexpressible! Hollow, brainless expression, yes, but yet it defines for me anything I cannot quite define or would have to use too many words to do so… “WOW” is all I could loudly say when riding again, when rolling again down the road with a huge grin on “our” faces. A true “Master” and a “Teacher” as I have never had before, “Paul Glaves” has opened up a new avenue of thoughts regarding my own mechanical abilities. For someone like me that has spend their Life in a kitchen I guess it is never too late to plunge into the “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle maintenance”! Never give up, one step at the time and above it all, stay calm as, and I quote him “it is just a bunch of nuts and bolts”! Terlingua had their own “Friends of Big Bend” ride going on… much fun to check out the bikes customized to their owner’s train of thought. A “Tilapia” quick recipe… it makes up the Blog today… or was it yesterday?

Be well… Ara & Spirit

Link to comment
Share on other sites

400324849_L3LTf-L-1.jpg

 

A ride to Presidio, Texas

 

Always a fun road to ride, to photograph, to stop and meditate, think about the reality of it all on how all this came about.

The road itself has been closed since the floods, all cleaned up now and open to local traffic when nearing Presidio only because of some cracks on the south side. It was a quick ride, a bit shorter in time for us from the norm as I know we will ride it again and probably again! Our phone is in! DSL is in at lightning speeds, all being an incredible task from the Big Bend Telephone Company. They showed up a couple mornings ago with semis and tractors, trench digger and a full crew to extend the line .3 miles! All in one day of work. They have a no non-sense operation and were back this morning for the final hook up and activation.

Spirit again is ecstatic to be riding in his car and between the all day ride and fetching the ball he is passed out… The “Do not disturb” sign is up… Maybe food will change his mind! The Sunrise and the Sunset yesterday where both an incredible gift from Mother Nature… you can see them on the Blog.

Be well… Ara & Spirit

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ara,

 

If we had gotten to within 500 miles of Texas we would have “dropped in!” B) We only got as “close” as southern Idaho!

 

Did you notice Spirit’s expression in your October 20th post? He looks like he is shouting…”Let’s Go!” ……or yawning. :rolleyes:

 

I can't get over finding a pro like Paul in the "neighborhood!" Karma it is!

 

Keep the Show on the Road!

 

Dave

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ara,

 

If we had gotten to within 500 miles of Texas we would have “dropped in!” B) We only got as “close” as southern Idaho!

 

Did you notice Spirit’s expression in your October 20th post? He looks like he is shouting…”Let’s Go!” ……or yawning. :rolleyes:

 

I can't get over finding a pro like Paul in the "neighborhood!" Karma it is!

 

Keep the Show on the Road!

 

Dave

 

It is not only Paul but also Ryan fixing my solar as we met 125 miles from here! There is more good Karma coming... I will know next week...

 

402182432_e2FAm-L.jpg

 

More riding, some Friends and more cooking, Texas

 

Since “Old Faithful” ( might have to call her “Young Faithful” now!) has been revamped, we have been as they say “burning up” the roads, mainly to Alpine. Many “Motorcyclist Café” Forum riders have been in town for the weekend, “Aprilia” motorcycle demos, a great dinner and much chatting. Putting some faces on all those names, those handles everyone uses, has been quite a great experience. Big Bend after all “is” a destination as it feels being at the end of the World, and it is.

It was winter for a couple of days, the electric heated gear was out, today again the warmth has come back, one could not ask for a more perfect day on “The Oasis”.

Cooking some left over ingredients, pictures of how Big Bend has come about, it is all on the Blog.

 

Be well…

 

Ara & Spirit

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

404036254_yEc3q-L-1.jpg

 

The dirt road to Marathon, Texas

 

One does not realize how vast this area is till they traverse a region less traveled as it was riding the “Old Marathon” Rd, only 23 miles of unpaved road with long stretches of deep sand and rocky slanted sections and challenging. It is an area where one does not even see the glimpse of a roof at any distance, close or far as within other areas around here. It is again a “road” which makes one wonder how it all came about. This one connects east and west dropping into the Park in its end. We never took a stroll down Marathon’s main street as instead we stumbled onto a group building “papercrete” homes. A real interesting concept as they say it will change the future on how homes are build, utilizing much paper in need of recycling. It gives me ideas for putting up here at least for starters a “storage” structure. Of course it is a catch 22, I would need much water to accomplish that task… so we have to get the water situation under control first! Time will tell…

Enjoy the ride…Be well… Ara & Spirit

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ara,

 

Your adventures never cease to amaze me! You seem to find something interesting every day…like paper houses. And the rice salad made me hungry.

 

I appreciate the map on the blog. I am not at all familiar with Texas. I did look up Marathon Road on the Delorme maps where it meets 385 and backtracked to see where it started. When you have a road named for a destination (eg Marathon), it usually connects two “important” places (eg two villages), starting in one and ending in this case at Marathon. But alas, not so in this case, at least on Delorme Topo 7.

 

That leaves me guessing that it is (was) a ranchers’ road, connecting scattered ranches with town (Marathon). Every road has a story….as you very well know. It would be fun to talk with a few old timers.

 

You comments about deep sand would fit nicely the experience of travelers in the teens and 20’s of the last century! Chains were carried routinely, not for snow, but usually for sand (or mud). Sand was a greater barrier to travel than mountains, or even most rivers. It might take a day to travel just a few miles if the road was sandy.

 

In some ways, you are re-experiencing 1917 on those roads!

 

Keep the Show on the Road!

 

Dave

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ara,

 

Your adventures never cease to amaze me! You seem to find something interesting every day…like paper houses. And the rice salad made me hungry.

 

I appreciate the map on the blog. I am not at all familiar with Texas. I did look up Marathon Road on the Delorme maps where it meets 385 and backtracked to see where it started. When you have a road named for a destination (eg Marathon), it usually connects two “important” places (eg two villages), starting in one and ending in this case at Marathon. But alas, not so in this case, at least on Delorme Topo 7.

 

That leaves me guessing that it is (was) a ranchers’ road, connecting scattered ranches with town (Marathon). Every road has a story….as you very well know. It would be fun to talk with a few old timers.

 

You comments about deep sand would fit nicely the experience of travelers in the teens and 20’s of the last century! Chains were carried routinely, not for snow, but usually for sand (or mud). Sand was a greater barrier to travel than mountains, or even most rivers. It might take a day to travel just a few miles if the road was sandy.

 

In some ways, you are re-experiencing 1917 on those roads!

 

Keep the Show on the Road!

 

Dave

 

That is a really interesting fact! I never knew about chains being carried for car wheels!!! Makes sense... much sense. I am thinking now, since I have a VW rear wheel and tire that maybe I could also have some chains!!! Imagine that... I looked and my rear tire is very close to the rear shock (mono shock) I need to investigate but that would really open up more roads to ride for us...

The land we are on is part of Terlingua Ranch, which is thousands of acres and... 1400 miles of dirt roads I am now allowed to ride... Thanks Dave.

 

405921819_Kr9Js-L.jpg

 

“Papercrete Homes”, Texas

 

Quite an alternative for structures which would do well in this climate. A “paper” shelter! Who would have thought…

But of course as everything else there is a catch. Need for a mixer and above all water which we do not have to spare… Some kind of a pick up truck to haul “stuff”… some tools. A tent is sounding better and better! Always two sides to the coin.

This land tears me up sometimes in the sense that I don’t want to leave, such silence, quiet, peace and serenity surrounded by beautiful landscape, at the same time the road calls, the wind on my face while rolling down the stretches is also part of the present Life. I try to balance it utilizing warmer times to do so.

It is now the perfect weather for this area, it was a good decision to anchor down for the winter, not saying there will not be some freezing spells! I am hoping for some blankets of snow sometime in the near future.

On to Alpine today… there seem to be always and errand to run!

Be well… enjoy the “papercrete” homes…

 

Ara & Spirit

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

408333576_b5aXU-L.jpg

 

To Boquillas Canyon, Texas

 

With much going on in the neighborhood such as mainly the Chili Cook Off, meaning “stay off the roads”, we went in hiding into Big Bend’s Park. Very few cars, a couple bikes and much space. Lets face it, it is the least visited Park in the USA.

We spend some time by the Rio Grande, across from Boquillas, Mexico, a small town separated from the World by a closed border and a River.

Such little distance separates us and yet in reality a different civilization is there, we are the same but we are not. We should be… maybe some day?

The ride back was as pleasant as the ride in, maybe a bit more thoughtful, unless totally insensitive to others it would be impossible to not start thinking at a population so close to us and yet so cut off from the mainstream.

The photos are on the Blog…

 

Be well… Ara & Spirit

Link to comment
Share on other sites

408333576_b5aXU-L.jpg

 

To Boquillas Canyon, Texas

 

With much going on in the neighborhood such as mainly the Chili Cook Off, meaning “stay off the roads”, we went in hiding into Big Bend’s Park. Very few cars, a couple bikes and much space. Lets face it, it is the least visited Park in the USA.

We spend some time by the Rio Grande, across from Boquillas, Mexico, a small town separated from the World by a closed border and a River.

Such little distance separates us and yet in reality a different civilization is there, we are the same but we are not. We should be… maybe some day?

The ride back was as pleasant as the ride in, maybe a bit more thoughtful, unless totally insensitive to others it would be impossible to not start thinking at a population so close to us and yet so cut off from the mainstream.

The photos are on the Blog…

 

Be well… Ara & Spirit

 

Ara,

 

I liked the new grub stop! What optimism!

 

And life is in no way fair….. All we can really do is what you do…..do our best where and when we can to help. It does count. Greed, hate, distain, disinterest, ignorance, and evil will still exist, but they can be thwarted when we care.

 

Keep the Show on the Road!

 

Dave

Link to comment
Share on other sites

409395761_zXQJU-L-1.jpg

 

Matters of the Heart, Texas

 

The ride to Alpine the other day was of a different tempo! There is a first for everything. What a better way to celebrate two years on the road with an Ambulance ride to the Hospital!

The heart just gave up. Spirit was left behind and I went ahead for some care and maintenance. First the bike, now myself. We will all be brand new soon. We are going back today as we made it here when released, more tests and needing to spend some time with a Cardiologist, either here or in Odessa.

I feel a bit in limbo as they say! The bike is even covered right now as we will be away for these couple of days. What a sad sight!

Coincidentally it was also the celebration of the “Day of the Dead” in Terlingua.

More about it all on the Blog

 

Be well… Ara & Spirit

Link to comment
Share on other sites

409395761_zXQJU-L-1.jpg

 

Matters of the Heart, Texas

 

The ride to Alpine the other day was of a different tempo! There is a first for everything. What a better way to celebrate two years on the road with an Ambulance ride to the Hospital!

The heart just gave up. Spirit was left behind and I went ahead for some care and maintenance. First the bike, now myself. We will all be brand new soon. We are going back today as we made it here when released, more tests and needing to spend some time with a Cardiologist, either here or in Odessa.

I feel a bit in limbo as they say! The bike is even covered right now as we will be away for these couple of days. What a sad sight!

Coincidentally it was also the celebration of the “Day of the Dead” in Terlingua.

More about it all on the Blog

 

Be well… Ara & Spirit

 

Ara,

 

We don’t like it one bit that you are having heart problems, so do what it takes to keep the ‘ole ticker happy and healthy!

 

Looking forward to tomorrow….Keep the Show on the Road!

 

Dave

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

409395761_zXQJU-L-1.jpg

 

Matters of the Heart, Texas

 

The ride to Alpine the other day was of a different tempo! There is a first for everything. What a better way to celebrate two years on the road with an Ambulance ride to the Hospital!

The heart just gave up. Spirit was left behind and I went ahead for some care and maintenance. First the bike, now myself. We will all be brand new soon. We are going back today as we made it here when released, more tests and needing to spend some time with a Cardiologist, either here or in Odessa.

 

Be well… Ara & Spirit

 

 

I experienced the same problem ten years ago, spent a few days in the hospital getting adjusted to my stent, and have had no real problems since. At the time I thought life as I knew it was a thing of the past but it wasn't. Hang in there with a positive "spirit"; you've got lots of roads to explore and miles to ride.......Bliss

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sorry to hear you're a little bum!!! Having "been-there-done-that" I really wouldn't want to do it again, thank you.

 

It tends to give you a whole new outlook on life - I've been 4 years trouble free after my heart problems - my last checkup showed no change over the previous 3 years, so whatever I'm doing must be right. You just have to watch your diet, keep the bad foods in moderation and take each day as a new beginning.

 

Here's wishing you many, many more travels over the highways and by-ways, both on the road and on your journey thru life. As I've said before we look forward to your writtings each day.

 

Hudsonly,

Alex Burr

Memphis, TN

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thank you all with your kind words. This too shall pass as they say. Looking forward to some new blue ribbons...

 

411306227_MZaNs-L.jpg

 

The “Colors” of Life, Texas

 

Back at “The Oasis”, feeling better by the day and trying to sort out the steps to maybe be approved for Health Care. This reminds me so much of the times when Lance was sick and we were asked for the mighty $ first… who cared what his name was. I am getting the same treatment! It is a sad state of affair but somehow, either here or Florida, it will be taken care off.

I think there is a bunch of Dual Sport Riders in town this weekend, a turn of the throttle and will go to meet them as we did last year.

All is well, I feel so clean as I think the nicotine has left my body by now and without coffee either my senses are becoming so perceptive of my environment. I was thinking this morning how great this was, much less to pack on the rig!!! It is a change I have to say, a great change as I have to take the positive aspect of it all.

Another recipe, all on the Blog.

Be well… Ara & Spirit

Link to comment
Share on other sites

178154685_kThGy-L.jpg

 

In retrospect, Texas

 

I feel as the meds are kicking in. There is a clarity in the mind which is starting to prevail and that nicotine craving is just about gone, hoping that the Cardiologist’s prognosis on the 17th will be a decent and fair one! We are actually going to take ride today into Terlingua, Lajitas. There is a group of dual sport riders in town and many we had met last year. The “Lifestyle” change was almost brutal the first days but already now it seems that all is leveling off and my attention is starting to again focus on… traveling! I need to focus a bit more and being anchored down for winter here, always mild but yet, high winds and freezing temps do happen. Yesterday morning actually for the first time Spirit’s outside water bowl froze to my surprise.

Photos? They are all from “memory lane”, they have been my travels these past few days throughout the Blog.

Be well, and again, “thank you” to all the kind readers that have extended a hand in these difficult times. We both appreciated more than you think.

Ara & Spirit

 

www.theoasisofmysoul.com our website and Blog

Link to comment
Share on other sites

415567272_AVxPT-L.jpg

 

Am I now a Photographer? Texas

 

Having been accepted at KIOWA Gallery in Alpine was a thrill yesterday, specially with Gallery night coming up on the 21st. 6 full size photos will be hanging on the wall.

What a Journey this has been. I read other’s ride reports… filled with riding. Somehow with us I can add undergoing an Echo Cardiogram last night… an ambulance ride… year round exposed photos in a so well known Gallery… much cooking… and oh! Yes… we also do ride!

Monday morning is still and will be the decisive moment in Odessa seeing the Cardiologist. I think some medication is going to do the trick… that is what Spirit thinks anyhow.

We are back in Alpine for now, too much commute if we stayed up “The Oasis”. My Friend Mac Gyver, meaning Ryan, also has gone home after setting up the solar system to an even better output performance.

This is Life on the road, a bit hectic right now, all things must pass they say, this will too.

Be well… Ara & Spirit

 

www.theoasisofmysoul.com our website and Blog

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...